1957 World Series
Encyclopedia
The 1957 World Series featured the defending champions, the New York Yankees
(American League
), playing against the Milwaukee Braves
(National League
). After finishing just one game behind the N.L. Champion Brooklyn Dodgers
in 1956
, the Braves came back in 1957
to win their first pennant
since moving from Boston
in 1953. The Braves won the Series in seven games, behind Lew Burdette's three complete game victories, and became the first team to win a championship after relocating.
The Yankees had home field advantage in the series. Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 were played at Yankee Stadium, while Milwaukee County Stadium
hosted Games 3, 4, and 5. This was the first time since 1946
that the Series included scheduled off days after Games 2 and 5.
Of the previous ten World Series, the Yankees had participated in eight of them and won seven. This was also the first World Series since 1948
that a team from New York did not win.
Hank Aaron led all regulars with a .393 average and eleven hits, including a triple, three home runs and seven RBI.
.
In the third inning, the Yankees replaced first baseman Bill Skowron, who was complaining of back pain, with Elston Howard
. In the fifth inning the Braves had a runner in scoring position after an error
by Howard. The Braves did not manage to capitalize on this opportunity, as second baseman
Red Schoendienst
grounded out. By the end of the fifth inning, the Braves had left four men on base, with the score still tied at 0–0.
The Yankees broke through that inning with a leadoff single by Jerry Coleman
, followed by two ground outs which moved the runner to third base, and then a triple
by slugger Hank Bauer
making the score 1–0. After three consecutive batters reached first base in the Yankees' half of the sixth inning, and a run scored on Andy Carey
's single, Milwaukee manager
Fred Haney pulled starter Warren Spahn
and replaced him with Ernie Johnson
.
The Yankees scored once more in the sixth inning when Coleman executed a squeeze play
, allowing Yogi Berra
to score from third base. The Braves managed to score only once, when Wes Covington
scored in the seventh on a single by Schoendienst. Whitey Ford
pitched a complete game
for the Yankees.
Hank Aaron led off the second inning with a triple, then made it safe at home on Joe Adcock
's single. The Yankees responded with one of their own in the bottom half of the second. Again in the third inning, the Yankees and Braves each scored one run, leaving the score 2–2 heading to the fourth inning. Both managers were worried about their starting pitcher
s, and after three straight singles from Adcock, Andy Pafko
, and Wes Covington
and with two runs in, Yankees manager Casey Stengel
replaced Bobby Shantz
with reliever
Art Ditmar
. Ditmar had finished the regular season with an 8–3 record, a 3.25 ERA
and six saves.
Ditmar was able to prevent the Braves from scoring any more runs, but the score was 4–2 in favor of the Braves. After that, Braves starter Lew Burdette
's pitching improved significantly. He only gave up four hits for the rest of the game, two of them coming in the ninth inning. After a ground out, Tony Kubek
singled to right to start things off. Stengel decided to pinch hit
lefty Joe Collins
, who was 30-for-149 (.201) that year and was playing what turned out to be his final year, for the right-handed Coleman, who was a better 42-for-157 (.263) and also playing in his final season, to face right-handed pitcher Burdette. Collins popped to Johnny Logan at shortstop
for the second out. Then, Stengel again opted to pinch hit for the pitcher, Bob Grim. Howard came up in his spot and singled to advance Kubek to second. Bobby Richardson
pinch ran for Howard. Burdette recorded the final out as he got Bauer, the next batter, to ground to short, where Logan forced out Richardson.
The Braves' win in Game 2 was the first World Series game won by a non-New York City
team since 1948
. In every World Series between 1948 and 1957, either both teams were from New York City or a New York City team won in a sweep (1950
and 1954
).
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
New York's Tony Kubek
began the scoring with a one-out solo homer in the first inning. After that, things quickly fell apart for Bob Buhl
, who had pitched quite well in the regular season (18–7, 2.74 ERA). He walked Mickey Mantle
and Yogi Berra
, then made an error
attempting to pick Mantle off at second base. After a sacrifice fly
by Gil McDougald
and a single by first baseman
Harry Simpson
, manager Fred Haney
pulled Buhl and brought in rookie
Juan Pizarro
. Pizarro got the final out in the first inning, and followed that with a solid second inning. In the third inning, however, the Yankees began to capitalize on their lead. After allowing hits from Mantle, Berra and Jerry Lumpe
, and a walk to Elston Howard
, who was pinch-hitting
for Harry Simpson
, Pizarro was removed from the game. Gene Conley
was called in to finish the inning. He did get the last two outs, but gave up a two-run home run to Mantle in the fourth inning.
By the bottom of the fifth inning, the score was 7–1 in favor of the Yankees. Logan led off with a single, and Eddie Mathews
flied to left. Hank Aaron stepped to the plate and hit one of his six postseason homers to make the game 7–3. After a Covington walk, Joe Adcock
and Bob Hazle
each made outs to end the fifth. Yankees relief pitcher Don Larsen
had his comfortable lead cut down to just four runs.
In the seventh inning the Yankees secured their lead with a five-run inning against reliever Bob Trowbridge
. The five runs started with a two-run bases-loaded single by Bauer and a three-run home run by Kubek. The score was 12–3 heading in to the bottom of the seventh.
There was only one more hit in the rest of the game, a single by Aaron in the ninth. Del Crandall
made the last out and the series was on to Game 4 with the Yankees up 2–1. Left fielder
Kubek was only the second rookie in history to hit two home run
s in a World Series game.
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
After a game with two homers and four RBIs, Tony Kubek
led off the first inning for the Yankees. Kubek bunted, which ultimately led to a run after Mickey Mantle
reached on a fielder's choice
, Yogi Berra
walked, and Gil McDougald
singled.
The second inning started with a single by Hank Aaron and then a stolen base
by Wes Covington
, but they could not convert. The fourth inning began with a walk to Johnny Logan. Eddie Mathews
doubled
to right field, which sent Logan to third. Aaron then hit a three-run home run which completely cleared the stadium. The next batter, Covington, grounded out. This was followed by a solo shot off the bat of Frank Torre
, a part-time first baseman who was giving Joe Adcock
a day off. The Braves were then up 4–1 against Yankees starter Tom Sturdivant
.
The next four innings for the Yankees were plagued by double play
s. Warren Spahn
was getting ground out after ground out and the Yankees looked helpless until the ninth. With two outs and a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth, New York found new life in two back-to-back singles. Spahn gave up one to Berra, followed by one to McDougald. With two runners on, Howard hit a three-run homer to tie the game.
Left-handed Tommy Byrne
had replaced right-handed Johnny Kucks
in the eighth inning for New York. This prompted Haney to pinch hit Adcock for Torre. Adcock grounded to shortstop and Milwaukee went 1-2-3 that inning. The game thus went on to extra innings.
Milwaukee starter Spahn came out for the tenth. Kubek got his second hit in the top of the tenth, followed by a triple by Hank Bauer
to score a run. After Mantle flied to right, the Braves got ready for the bottom of the tenth down one. Spahn was due up first for the Braves, and Haney opted to pinch hit with Nippy Jones
, who had played in just 30 games that year. In what turned out to be his final appearance, Jones was part of a pivotal play in the inning. A wild Tommy Byrne
pitch bounced near Jones, but umpire Donatelli initially called a ball. After an argument hinging on a spot of shoe polish on the baseball, Jones convinced umpire Augie Donatelli
that he was hit on the shoe
.
The inning continued with Felix Mantilla
running for Jones. Red Schoendienst
hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Mantilla, who scored the tying run on a double by Logan. Mathews followed with a towering two-run home run to win it for the Braves, 7–5, and tied the series at two games apiece.
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
With the opposing team's top two pitchers, Whitey Ford
and Lew Burdette
, facing each other, Game 5 was expected to be a low-scoring affair. However, the game started out with the Yankees looking to score in the first inning. After a leadoff single by Hank Bauer
and a sacrifice bunt by Tony Kubek
, Gil McDougald
hit a line drive
that turned into the second out of the inning. Yogi Berra
then grounded out. After that, Burdette only allowed multiple Yankee baserunners in the fourth inning.
At the start of the sixth inning, the game was still scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth with two outs and nobody on, Eddie Mathews
, Hank Aaron, and Joe Adcock
singled, scoring Mathews and giving the Braves a 1–0 lead that would hold up for the rest of the game.
The Yankees' best scoring chance came in the eighth inning after a hit by Jerry Coleman
to right field. Mickey Mantle
came in to pinch-run for Coleman, but was caught stealing
at second base by catcher
Del Crandall
. Ford was then taken out and Yankee reliever Bob Turley
came in, striking out two batters while giving up no hits in the inning.
Yogi Berra
made the last Yankee out in the 1–0 complete-game, shutout
by Burdette, and the Milwaukee Braves took the series lead three games to two.
Bob Buhl
started for the Braves but would not last very long. In the first two innings, no one scored, although there were some opportunities, including the Yankees' first inning when Enos Slaughter
reached third and Yogi Berra
got to second on Buhl's wild pitch. Fortunately, Buhl would strike out Gil McDougald
to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third, the Yankees scored two runs to take the lead on a Berra two-run homer, scoring Slaughter. After that Ernie Johnson
would mercifully replace Buhl. Johnson then held the Yankees scoreless until the seventh inning.
The Braves cut the lead in their half in the fifth on Frank Torre
's solo home run, his second of the series. The Braves then tied it in the top of the seventh with a solo homer by Hank Aaron, his third. The game was now tied and Braves' pitcher Johnson was holding the Yankees to just one hit in 3-1/3 innings. Leading off the seventh, pitcher Bob Turley
was out on a bunt attempt with two strikes. Then, right fielder
Hank Bauer
hit a solo home run off the left-field foul pole, which would prove to be the game-winning hit, to give the Yankees a one-run lead.
In the Braves' ninth, after an Eddie Mathews
walk, Turley got lefty Wes Covington
to ground into a 1–6–3 double play to end the game and force a deciding Game 7.
After two scoreless innings, the Braves broke through in the third, started by a Bob Hazle
single and an error by Tony Kubek
at third base; one of three Yankee errors in the game. The inning continued with a hard-hit Eddie Mathews
double, which prompted Casey Stengel
to take out starter Don Larsen
and bring in lefty Bobby Shantz
. Shantz then gave up an RBI single to Hank Aaron and a single by Wes Covington
advancing Aaron to third. Frank Torre
grounded into a fielders' choice which scored Aaron. Felix Mantilla
then flied to Hank Bauer
in right to end the inning, ending the Braves' scoring at four runs.
The Yankees' best chance came in the sixth, when they had runners on first and second with two outs after a Mickey Mantle
single and an error by Mathews at third. Gil McDougald
then grounded out forcing Mantle at third to end the inning and the threat.
In the ninth, after Milwaukee made it 5–0 on a Del Crandall
homer, the Yankees attempted to mount a rally. With two outs and McDougald on first base, Jerry Coleman
singled to right. Then, Tommy Byrne
singled to load the bases for Bill Skowron. With the tying run on deck, Lew Burdette
retired Skowron on a ground out to third with Mathews making the final out.
In the game, the Yankees were limited to seven hits and one walk. Burdette was named the Series MVP after pitching three complete games and two shutouts. He was the first pitcher since Christy Mathewson
to pitch two shutouts in a World Series.
(N.L.) over New York Yankees
(A.L.)
1957 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the 55th season for the team in New York, and its 57th season overall. The team finished with a record of 98-56 to win their 23rd pennant, finishing eight games ahead of the Chicago White Sox. New York was managed by Casey Stengel...
(American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
), playing against the Milwaukee Braves
1957 Milwaukee Braves season
The Milwaukee Braves season was the year that the team won its first and only World Series championship while based in Milwaukee. The Braves won 95 games and lost 59 to win the National League pennant by eight games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals....
(National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
). After finishing just one game behind the N.L. Champion Brooklyn Dodgers
1956 Brooklyn Dodgers season
The 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers edged out the Milwaukee Braves to win the National League title. The Dodgers again faced the New York Yankees in the World Series...
in 1956
1956 Major League Baseball season
-Regular season standings:-World series:-Awards and honors:-Statistical leaders:-All-Star game:- Triple Crown:*Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees - Mantle won the Major League Triple Crown by leading both leagues in batting average , home runs , and runs batted in...
, the Braves came back in 1957
1957 Major League Baseball season
The 1957 Major League Baseball season involved the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants playing their final seasons as New York-based franchises before their moves to California for the following season, leaving New York without a National League team until the birth of the Mets in...
to win their first pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
since moving from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1953. The Braves won the Series in seven games, behind Lew Burdette's three complete game victories, and became the first team to win a championship after relocating.
The Yankees had home field advantage in the series. Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 were played at Yankee Stadium, while Milwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
hosted Games 3, 4, and 5. This was the first time since 1946
1946 World Series
-Game 1:Sunday, October 6, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriThe Red Sox won Game 1 when Rudy York hit a home run into the left field bleachers.-Game 2:Monday, October 7, 1946 at Sportsman's Park in St...
that the Series included scheduled off days after Games 2 and 5.
Of the previous ten World Series, the Yankees had participated in eight of them and won seven. This was also the first World Series since 1948
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
that a team from New York did not win.
Hank Aaron led all regulars with a .393 average and eleven hits, including a triple, three home runs and seven RBI.
Summary
Note: It was the Braves' first championship since the "Miracle Braves" of 19141914 World Series
In the 1914 World Series, the Boston Braves beat the Philadelphia Athletics in a four-game sweep.A contender for greatest upset of all time, the "Miracle Braves" were in last place on July 4, then roared on to win the National League pennant by games and sweep the stunned Athletics...
.
Game 1
Wednesday, October 2, 1957 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkIn the third inning, the Yankees replaced first baseman Bill Skowron, who was complaining of back pain, with Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
. In the fifth inning the Braves had a runner in scoring position after an error
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
by Howard. The Braves did not manage to capitalize on this opportunity, as second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
grounded out. By the end of the fifth inning, the Braves had left four men on base, with the score still tied at 0–0.
The Yankees broke through that inning with a leadoff single by Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
, followed by two ground outs which moved the runner to third base, and then a triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
by slugger Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
making the score 1–0. After three consecutive batters reached first base in the Yankees' half of the sixth inning, and a run scored on Andy Carey
Andy Carey
Andrew Arthur Carey is a former major league third baseman for the New York Yankees , and three other major league teams from 1960 to 1962...
's single, Milwaukee manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
Fred Haney pulled starter Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
and replaced him with Ernie Johnson
Ernie Johnson (pitcher)
Ernest Thorwald Johnson was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6'4", 195 lb. right-hander was signed by the Boston Braves as an amateur free agent before the season. He played for the Boston Braves , Milwaukee Braves , and Baltimore Orioles .-Playing career:After serving three years in the U.S...
.
The Yankees scored once more in the sixth inning when Coleman executed a squeeze play
Squeeze play (baseball)
In baseball, the squeeze play is a maneuver consisting of a sacrifice bunt with a runner on third base. The batter bunts the ball, expecting to be thrown out at first base, but providing the runner on third base an opportunity to score...
, allowing Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
to score from third base. The Braves managed to score only once, when Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
scored in the seventh on a single by Schoendienst. Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
pitched a complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
for the Yankees.
Game 2
Thursday, October 3, 1957 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkHank Aaron led off the second inning with a triple, then made it safe at home on Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
's single. The Yankees responded with one of their own in the bottom half of the second. Again in the third inning, the Yankees and Braves each scored one run, leaving the score 2–2 heading to the fourth inning. Both managers were worried about their starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
s, and after three straight singles from Adcock, Andy Pafko
Andy Pafko
Andrew Pafko is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1943 through 1959, Pafko played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves . He batted and threw right-handed...
, and Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
and with two runs in, Yankees manager Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
replaced Bobby Shantz
Bobby Shantz
Robert Clayton Shantz was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics , Kansas City Athletics , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates , Houston Colt .45's , St...
with reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Art Ditmar
Art Ditmar
Arthur John Ditmar is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Athletics and the New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed.A finesse control pitcher, Ditmar divided his career between the Athletics and Yankees...
. Ditmar had finished the regular season with an 8–3 record, a 3.25 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and six saves.
Ditmar was able to prevent the Braves from scoring any more runs, but the score was 4–2 in favor of the Braves. After that, Braves starter Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
's pitching improved significantly. He only gave up four hits for the rest of the game, two of them coming in the ninth inning. After a ground out, Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
singled to right to start things off. Stengel decided to pinch hit
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
lefty Joe Collins
Joe Collins
Joseph Edward Collins was an American Major League Baseball player, born in Scranton, Pennsylvania....
, who was 30-for-149 (.201) that year and was playing what turned out to be his final year, for the right-handed Coleman, who was a better 42-for-157 (.263) and also playing in his final season, to face right-handed pitcher Burdette. Collins popped to Johnny Logan at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for the second out. Then, Stengel again opted to pinch hit for the pitcher, Bob Grim. Howard came up in his spot and singled to advance Kubek to second. Bobby Richardson
Bobby Richardson
Robert Clinton "Bobby" Richardson is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from through . Batting and throwing right-handed, he was a superb defensive infielder, as well as something of a clutch hitter, who played no small role in the Yankee baseball...
pinch ran for Howard. Burdette recorded the final out as he got Bauer, the next batter, to ground to short, where Logan forced out Richardson.
The Braves' win in Game 2 was the first World Series game won by a non-New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
team since 1948
1948 World Series
The 1948 World Series matched the Cleveland Indians against the Boston Braves. The Braves had won the National League pennant for the first time since the "Miracle Braves" team of . The Indians spoiled a chance for the only all-Boston World Series by winning a one-game playoff against the Boston...
. In every World Series between 1948 and 1957, either both teams were from New York City or a New York City team won in a sweep (1950
1950 World Series
The 1950 World Series was the 47th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as 1950 champions of the National League and the New York Yankees, as 1950 American League champions, competed to win a best-of-seven...
and 1954
1954 World Series
The 1954 World Series matched the National League champion New York Giants against the American League champion Cleveland Indians. The Giants swept the Series in four games to win their first championship since , defeating the heavily favored Indians, who had won an AL-record 111 games in the...
).
Game 3
Saturday, October 5, 1957 at County StadiumMilwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
New York's Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
began the scoring with a one-out solo homer in the first inning. After that, things quickly fell apart for Bob Buhl
Bob Buhl
Robert Ray Buhl was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Milwaukee Braves , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies...
, who had pitched quite well in the regular season (18–7, 2.74 ERA). He walked Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
and Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
, then made an error
Error
The word error entails different meanings and usages relative to how it is conceptually applied. The concrete meaning of the Latin word "error" is "wandering" or "straying". Unlike an illusion, an error or a mistake can sometimes be dispelled through knowledge...
attempting to pick Mantle off at second base. After a sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
by Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
and a single by first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Harry Simpson
Harry Simpson
Harry Leon "Suitcase" Simpson was an African American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for a number of teams. He played in the World Series with the New York Yankees in 1957, where they lost....
, manager Fred Haney
Fred Haney
Fred Girard Haney was an American third baseman, manager, coach and executive in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he won two pennants and a world championship with the Milwaukee Braves and, as an executive, he was the first general manager of the expansion Los Angeles Angels of the American...
pulled Buhl and brought in rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
Juan Pizarro
Juan Pizarro
Juan Ramon Pizarro Cordova is a former major league baseball pitcher.-Milwaukee Braves:Juan Pizarro signed with the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1956. After going 27-6 with a 2.06 earned run average in the minors, he made his major league debut on May 4, 1957 against the Pittsburgh...
. Pizarro got the final out in the first inning, and followed that with a solid second inning. In the third inning, however, the Yankees began to capitalize on their lead. After allowing hits from Mantle, Berra and Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Lumpe
Jerry Dean Lumpe is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics and Detroit Tigers ....
, and a walk to Elston Howard
Elston Howard
Elston Gene Howard was an American Negro League and Major League Baseball catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played from 1955–1968, primarily for the New York Yankees...
, who was pinch-hitting
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for Harry Simpson
Harry Simpson
Harry Leon "Suitcase" Simpson was an African American outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for a number of teams. He played in the World Series with the New York Yankees in 1957, where they lost....
, Pizarro was removed from the game. Gene Conley
Gene Conley
Donald Eugene Conley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played eleven seasons from to for four different teams. Conley also played forward in the 1952-1953 season and from 1958 to 1964 for two teams in the National Basketball Association...
was called in to finish the inning. He did get the last two outs, but gave up a two-run home run to Mantle in the fourth inning.
By the bottom of the fifth inning, the score was 7–1 in favor of the Yankees. Logan led off with a single, and Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
flied to left. Hank Aaron stepped to the plate and hit one of his six postseason homers to make the game 7–3. After a Covington walk, Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
and Bob Hazle
Bob Hazle
Robert Sydney "Hurricane" Hazle is a former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder over parts of 3 seasons with the Cincinnati Redlegs, Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers. Hazle was a member of the 1957 World Series champion Braves...
each made outs to end the fifth. Yankees relief pitcher Don Larsen
Don Larsen
Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
had his comfortable lead cut down to just four runs.
In the seventh inning the Yankees secured their lead with a five-run inning against reliever Bob Trowbridge
Bob Trowbridge
Robert Trowbridge was a professional baseball player. He was a pitcher over parts of 5 seasons with the Milwaukee Braves and Kansas City Athletics. Trowbridge was a member of the 1957 World Series champion Braves...
. The five runs started with a two-run bases-loaded single by Bauer and a three-run home run by Kubek. The score was 12–3 heading in to the bottom of the seventh.
There was only one more hit in the rest of the game, a single by Aaron in the ninth. Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
made the last out and the series was on to Game 4 with the Yankees up 2–1. Left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Kubek was only the second rookie in history to hit two home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in a World Series game.
Game 4
Sunday, October 6, 1957 at County StadiumMilwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
After a game with two homers and four RBIs, Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
led off the first inning for the Yankees. Kubek bunted, which ultimately led to a run after Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
reached on a fielder's choice
Fielder's choice
In baseball, fielder's choice is a term used to refer to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner, or the defensive team's indifference to his advance...
, Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
walked, and Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
singled.
The second inning started with a single by Hank Aaron and then a stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
by Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, but they could not convert. The fourth inning began with a walk to Johnny Logan. Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
doubled
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
to right field, which sent Logan to third. Aaron then hit a three-run home run which completely cleared the stadium. The next batter, Covington, grounded out. This was followed by a solo shot off the bat of Frank Torre
Frank Torre
Frank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
, a part-time first baseman who was giving Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
a day off. The Braves were then up 4–1 against Yankees starter Tom Sturdivant
Tom Sturdivant
Thomas Virgil Sturdivant II was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets...
.
The next four innings for the Yankees were plagued by double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s. Warren Spahn
Warren Spahn
Warren Edward Spahn was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in the National League. He won 20 games each in 13 seasons, including a 23-7 record when he was age 42...
was getting ground out after ground out and the Yankees looked helpless until the ninth. With two outs and a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth, New York found new life in two back-to-back singles. Spahn gave up one to Berra, followed by one to McDougald. With two runners on, Howard hit a three-run homer to tie the game.
Left-handed Tommy Byrne
Tommy Byrne (baseball)
Thomas Joseph Byrne was an American left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams from through , primarily the New York Yankees. He also played for the St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators...
had replaced right-handed Johnny Kucks
Johnny Kucks
John Charles Kucks was a pitcher for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics in Major League Baseball. In 1952, he was signed as an amateur free agent...
in the eighth inning for New York. This prompted Haney to pinch hit Adcock for Torre. Adcock grounded to shortstop and Milwaukee went 1-2-3 that inning. The game thus went on to extra innings.
Milwaukee starter Spahn came out for the tenth. Kubek got his second hit in the top of the tenth, followed by a triple by Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
to score a run. After Mantle flied to right, the Braves got ready for the bottom of the tenth down one. Spahn was due up first for the Braves, and Haney opted to pinch hit with Nippy Jones
Nippy Jones
Vernal Leroy Jones is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who won World Series rings with the St. Louis Cardinals in and the Milwaukee Braves in .-St. Louis Cardinals:...
, who had played in just 30 games that year. In what turned out to be his final appearance, Jones was part of a pivotal play in the inning. A wild Tommy Byrne
Tommy Byrne (baseball)
Thomas Joseph Byrne was an American left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams from through , primarily the New York Yankees. He also played for the St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators...
pitch bounced near Jones, but umpire Donatelli initially called a ball. After an argument hinging on a spot of shoe polish on the baseball, Jones convinced umpire Augie Donatelli
Augie Donatelli
August Joseph Donatelli was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1950 to 1973. Highly regarded for his ability, he was also known for his inclination to eject players and managers quickly and dramatically.-Biography:Donatelli was born in Heilwood,...
that he was hit on the shoe
Shoe
A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot while doing various activities. Shoes are also used as an item of decoration. The design of shoes has varied enormously through time and from culture to culture, with appearance originally being tied to function...
.
The inning continued with Felix Mantilla
Felix Mantilla Lamela
Félix Mantilla Lamela is a former Major League Baseball player. In his 11-year career, Mantilla played for the Milwaukee Braves , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros . An infielder/outfielder, he played second base the majority of his career...
running for Jones. Red Schoendienst
Red Schoendienst
Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst is an American Major League Baseball coach, former player and manager, and 10-time All-star. After a 19-year playing career with the St...
hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Mantilla, who scored the tying run on a double by Logan. Mathews followed with a towering two-run home run to win it for the Braves, 7–5, and tied the series at two games apiece.
Game 5
Monday, October 7, 1957 at County StadiumMilwaukee County Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium was a ballpark in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1953 to 2000. It was primarily used as a baseball stadium for the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers, but was also used for football games, ice skating, religious services, concerts and other large events...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
With the opposing team's top two pitchers, Whitey Ford
Whitey Ford
Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who spent his entire 18-year career with the New York Yankees. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.-Early life and career:...
and Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
, facing each other, Game 5 was expected to be a low-scoring affair. However, the game started out with the Yankees looking to score in the first inning. After a leadoff single by Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
and a sacrifice bunt by Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
, Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
hit a line drive
Line drive
In baseball, a line drive is a type of batted ball, sharply hit, and on a level trajectory. The threshold between a line drive and a fly ball can be subjective....
that turned into the second out of the inning. Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
then grounded out. After that, Burdette only allowed multiple Yankee baserunners in the fourth inning.
At the start of the sixth inning, the game was still scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth with two outs and nobody on, Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
, Hank Aaron, and Joe Adcock
Joe Adcock
Joseph Wilbur "Billy Joe" Adcock was an American first baseman and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the powerful Milwaukee Braves teams of the 1950s, whose career included numerous home run feats...
singled, scoring Mathews and giving the Braves a 1–0 lead that would hold up for the rest of the game.
The Yankees' best scoring chance came in the eighth inning after a hit by Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
to right field. Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
came in to pinch-run for Coleman, but was caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
at second base by catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
. Ford was then taken out and Yankee reliever Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
came in, striking out two batters while giving up no hits in the inning.
Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
made the last Yankee out in the 1–0 complete-game, shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
by Burdette, and the Milwaukee Braves took the series lead three games to two.
Game 6
Wednesday, October 9, 1957 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkBob Buhl
Bob Buhl
Robert Ray Buhl was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Milwaukee Braves , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies...
started for the Braves but would not last very long. In the first two innings, no one scored, although there were some opportunities, including the Yankees' first inning when Enos Slaughter
Enos Slaughter
Enos Bradsher Slaughter , nicknamed "Country", was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 19-year baseball career, he played from 1938–1942 and 1946-1959 for four different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the St...
reached third and Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
got to second on Buhl's wild pitch. Fortunately, Buhl would strike out Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third, the Yankees scored two runs to take the lead on a Berra two-run homer, scoring Slaughter. After that Ernie Johnson
Ernie Johnson (pitcher)
Ernest Thorwald Johnson was a Major League Baseball pitcher. The 6'4", 195 lb. right-hander was signed by the Boston Braves as an amateur free agent before the season. He played for the Boston Braves , Milwaukee Braves , and Baltimore Orioles .-Playing career:After serving three years in the U.S...
would mercifully replace Buhl. Johnson then held the Yankees scoreless until the seventh inning.
The Braves cut the lead in their half in the fifth on Frank Torre
Frank Torre
Frank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
's solo home run, his second of the series. The Braves then tied it in the top of the seventh with a solo homer by Hank Aaron, his third. The game was now tied and Braves' pitcher Johnson was holding the Yankees to just one hit in 3-1/3 innings. Leading off the seventh, pitcher Bob Turley
Bob Turley
Robert Lee Turley was a Major League Baseball pitcher.Turley was signed as an amateur free agent by the St. Louis Browns in . He played his first game on September 29, 1951 for the Browns and moved with them to Baltimore in...
was out on a bunt attempt with two strikes. Then, right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
hit a solo home run off the left-field foul pole, which would prove to be the game-winning hit, to give the Yankees a one-run lead.
In the Braves' ninth, after an Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
walk, Turley got lefty Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
to ground into a 1–6–3 double play to end the game and force a deciding Game 7.
Game 7
Thursday, October 10, 1957 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkAfter two scoreless innings, the Braves broke through in the third, started by a Bob Hazle
Bob Hazle
Robert Sydney "Hurricane" Hazle is a former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder over parts of 3 seasons with the Cincinnati Redlegs, Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers. Hazle was a member of the 1957 World Series champion Braves...
single and an error by Tony Kubek
Tony Kubek
Anthony Christopher "Tony" Kubek is a retired American professional baseball player and television broadcaster....
at third base; one of three Yankee errors in the game. The inning continued with a hard-hit Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews
Edwin Lee "Eddie" Mathews was an American Major League Baseball third baseman. He is regarded as one of the greatest third basemen ever to play the game.-Early life:...
double, which prompted Casey Stengel
Casey Stengel
Charles Dillon "Casey" Stengel , nicknamed "The Old Perfessor", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in ....
to take out starter Don Larsen
Don Larsen
Donald James Larsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953-67 for seven different teams. Larsen is best known for pitching the sixth perfect game in baseball history, doing so in game 5 of the 1956 World Series...
and bring in lefty Bobby Shantz
Bobby Shantz
Robert Clayton Shantz was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics , Kansas City Athletics , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates , Houston Colt .45's , St...
. Shantz then gave up an RBI single to Hank Aaron and a single by Wes Covington
Wes Covington
John Wesley Covington , was a left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
advancing Aaron to third. Frank Torre
Frank Torre
Frank Joseph Torre is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. Torre, who batted and threw left-handed, played for the Milwaukee Braves and Philadelphia Phillies...
grounded into a fielders' choice which scored Aaron. Felix Mantilla
Felix Mantilla Lamela
Félix Mantilla Lamela is a former Major League Baseball player. In his 11-year career, Mantilla played for the Milwaukee Braves , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros . An infielder/outfielder, he played second base the majority of his career...
then flied to Hank Bauer
Hank Bauer
Henry Albert "Hank" Bauer was an American right fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He played with the New York Yankees and Kansas City Athletics ; he batted and threw right-handed...
in right to end the inning, ending the Braves' scoring at four runs.
The Yankees' best chance came in the sixth, when they had runners on first and second with two outs after a Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
single and an error by Mathews at third. Gil McDougald
Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald was an American infielder who spent all ten seasons of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1960. He was a member of eight American League pennant winners and five World Series Champions. He was also the AL Rookie of the Year in 1951 and...
then grounded out forcing Mantle at third to end the inning and the threat.
In the ninth, after Milwaukee made it 5–0 on a Del Crandall
Del Crandall
Delmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
homer, the Yankees attempted to mount a rally. With two outs and McDougald on first base, Jerry Coleman
Jerry Coleman
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman is a former Major League Baseball second baseman for the New York Yankees. Currently, he is an analyst and former play-by-play radio announcer for the San Diego Padres...
singled to right. Then, Tommy Byrne
Tommy Byrne (baseball)
Thomas Joseph Byrne was an American left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams from through , primarily the New York Yankees. He also played for the St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators...
singled to load the bases for Bill Skowron. With the tying run on deck, Lew Burdette
Lew Burdette
Selva Lewis Burdette, Jr. was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves...
retired Skowron on a ground out to third with Mathews making the final out.
In the game, the Yankees were limited to seven hits and one walk. Burdette was named the Series MVP after pitching three complete games and two shutouts. He was the first pitcher since Christy Mathewson
Christy Mathewson
Christopher "Christy" Mathewson , nicknamed "Big Six", "The Christian Gentleman", or "Matty", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire career in what is known as the dead-ball era...
to pitch two shutouts in a World Series.
Composite box
1957 World Series (4–3): Milwaukee BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(N.L.) over New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(A.L.)
MVP Lew Burdette's series statistics
- Games - 3
- Games started - 3
- ERA - 0.67
- Wins - 3
- Losses - 0
- Complete games - 3
- Shutouts - 2
- Innings pitched - 27 (3 complete games)
- Hits - 21
- Earned runs - 2 (both in Game 2)
- Strikeouts - 13
- Walks - 4